Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-03-16

ror w n'cn nad possession OF me 4 nsd let
the steam diminish and let the speed fall
on. But il was the same thing There
stood the phantom, sharper and more
definitely visible when we were passing
through an open, snow-clad locality, than
in the woods, where it seemed at times TO
fade and almost disappear
1T could not be human. for nothing hu-
man could keep pace with the running of
an engine. 1t glided with the train.
'It continued, too, its peculiar action. 1t
was in motion all the time. l was so awe
struck that was hardly able to think Of
any course to pursue. But the terror was
growing too great, and at last, in spite Of
regulations, thought / would make an
effort to run over the hateful Presence.
But putting on steam was no use. There
moved the ghost equally with the train.
The sudden increase of speed brought the
brakeman over the top of the cars to see
what was wrong, and his company was at
least encouraging.
"'WhGt's upr asked he.
"'Do you see that thing aheedr must
have gasped. The Indian-lookr
Why said the man, are you dafti
there's nothing ahead
'Nothing!' said i, savagely. Look right
on the track-see, it movesr
is nothing
by this time Twas as angry as my fright
would permit, for 1 did not at all relish
the idea of being the only spectator of
what was quite clear at least to me. There
1t was still, no change in shape or motion,
persistently waving its arms, with equal
persistency holding its uniform position.
"but even, suppose, ghost would be-
come familiar in course of time, and ]
found that my fear was getting little less
than it had been at first 1t was getting
familiar, probably, bringing about corre-
spending contempt--not that had got to
that state, though-and / knew that we
were approaching station, so / took cour-
age and began to think perhaps had been
mistaken. But MOI there in the same posi-
ton 1t had occupied for an hour or more,
stood the horrid thing.
81 said no more to the man behind me.
but waited, feeling bolder as got nearer
the station where we were to stop.
''When the time came for signaling the
train to the station, began to think that
perhaps / had been foolish to give way to
my fears as had, but the ghost! it was
still in its place. Right glad was to whis-
tie down brakes and see the lights of
C ahead. Then wondered If the ghost
was going all the way 1t was still go
ing on before, as usual
"When we ran into the station it seemed
to fade gently away. The station-master
was very 10th to believe the story which ]
gave him as have given you, and, per-
haps, the secret of my Indian ghost would
never have been discovered but for him.
"lt happened that had to run on lit
tie to take in water, and he sat on the en-
gine for company like, and as we ran out
of the lights of the station what should
appear but my ghost once more.
'Oh, see itr said the MASTER when ]
pointed it out to him. 4 must find out
what it is
$50 down he gets and walks in front OF
the engine while was filing the tank from
the cistern
presently back he comes
"'Here's the ghost said he, and handed
me half-dead leaf
"'Bosh!' said /, how could that be the
thing sawP
just so,' said he; this leaf had got
frozen by one end to the glass of the head
light and the lens has projected the shad
ows right in front Of you all the way. See
I'll put it on again.
$50 he did. and there was the figure
again My fright had all been caused by a
leaf, shaped something like human form
blowing about il front Of the lantern. and
its shadow cast out into the snow and
darkness. / felt mean, and made up my
mind never to believe in ghosts again.
But how was it that the brakeman did
not see it!''
"That struck me, and when coupled up
again climbed up and saw that the angle
was wrong. My ghost l keep in a book
now, and laugh sometimes when / look
if -